Read The 39 Clues Invasion Online
Authors: Riley Clifford
The 39 Clues Invasion (5 page)
Jake’s stricken face was outlined by the blue and red flashing lights from the police cars outside. “Att, she
is
my mom. She may not be my biological mother, but she woke me up to go to school, and patched me up when I got hurt, and made me dinner every night for the last twelve years. I’ve actually known her longer than you have! If the doctors in New York can’t figure out what’s wrong with her, I don’t know what I’ll do.” Jake drew in a shuddering breath. “I was trying to be brave for you! But if I thought saving that mask would save her life, I would have taken on a hundred burglars myself.”
Atticus grabbed his brother and buried his face in the front of Jake’s tracksuit again. He didn’t know what to say, so he just held on as tight as he possibly could. Jake hugged him back, and Atticus could feel sobs rattling in his brother’s chest. By the time the police pulled them apart and took them outside, there was a big wet spot on the front of Jake’s tracksuit and Atticus’s ribs were sore from Jake’s hug.
The police hauled them away to the station and kept Atticus up half the night trying to help an artist sketch the burglars. But Atticus didn’t mind. All three burglars had escaped, and Atticus didn’t mind that, either. He didn’t mind any of it, because the police had called his dad, and by the time Detective Corelli dropped the kids back off at their house, the family station wagon was waiting in the driveway.
Mom was coughing as she stepped out of the car and the predawn sky silhouetted her frighteningly thin frame, but there was still a fierce gleam in her eye. Atticus ran to her, dropping the pointless papers the police had given them. She wrapped him in a ferocious hug, for a moment as strong as she had ever been.
Dan watched the Rosenblooms’ reunion through the window of the police car. Despite the crazy night, Atticus somehow seemed more whole than he had for weeks. His mom was still sick, but they were all together as a family — and Jake and Atticus seemed closer than ever.
For Dan, nothing had changed. When he got home, his parents wouldn’t be waiting in the driveway. The only thing waiting for Dan was the certainty that the Vesper threat was real.
And last night had reminded Dan what that threat really meant. His best friend had been a moment away from bleeding to death on his own kitchen floor. With only one thrust of a knife, someone else he loved could disappear forever.
And the Vespers were out there, waiting for their moment to strike.
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Clifford Riley would like to acknowledge Gavin Brown.
Cover design by Keirsten Geise; Rapid Fire logo design by Charice Silverman
First edition, December 2011
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e-ISBN 978-0-545-45202-1